Allstate estimates April catastrophe losses of $1.4 billion

(AP) — Allstate says tornadoes and other disasters last month led to $1.4 billion in estimated catastrophe losses.

The Northbrook-based home and auto insurer said Thursday that those losses included 13 natural disasters in the U.S. and Canada. The largest losses came from tornadoes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Virginia in the last week of April. Catastrophes include everything from heavy snow to floods.

More than 100,000 claims have been reported so far in these areas.

The April loss is substantial -- roughly equal to Allstate 's total catastrophe losses for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009 combined. With the worst part of tornado season yet to begin, that figure could rise.

Allstate plans to announce monthly estimates for catastrophe losses when they are seen topping $150 million. Over the last decade, that level of loss has occurred about one-third of the time.

In the first three months of this year, catastrophe losses were $333 million, down from the near-record high of $648 million in 2010.